Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp., hugs coal miner Bodee Allred after speaking with the media at an update on the rescue efforts for six trapped coal miners during... (Associated Press)

(Newser)
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Rescuers digging for men who have been trapped underground for 10 days heard noise inside the mine today, prompting crews to drill a fourth hole in the sound's direction. They described hearing 5 minutes of “noise” through seismic geophones, ignighting some hope in an otherwise-discouraging rescue effort. "There's a very good chance we may find them alive," said the mine owner.

Other attempts to reach the miners were less heartening. Rescuers again thumped on a drill pipe lowered deep in the ground but heard no banging in return. A machine digging through the collapse toward the miners was stalled for hours after being buried in debris; it has progressed less than half of the 2,000 feet to the stranded men so far, reports the Deseret News.